Martha Stewart + Nanny McPhee + Caillou's Mom with a touch of Abby Cadabby = Perfect mom? Amost!

First of all ... I want to say ... I'm writing this because I struggle with this.  And being the kind of person who hopes she isn't just a crazy person who is out here in the ocean of parenting bobbling around like an idiot all by herself, I like to think that maybe a few others might have this issue as well?  Maybe not, maybe you all find it so easy to be that kind of person all the time that you want your kids to see.  But, it's hard for me. 

First I guess I'll start out with a list of characteristics that I want to show my kids.  A list of "things" I wish were easy, and consistent with-in me.

Patience
Nice words
Shows grace
Shares my faith with others
Polite
Manners
Responsible
Strong
Willing to learn new things
Kind
Follows thru
I need to be like Proverbs 31
you know Christ Like........

Wow.. really Christ like?... yep... after I wrote all this down I realized I want my kids to see Christ in me.  That is a really tall order.... well it's impossible to be Jesus.... he was perfect, and sinless, and well... everything right.  And I'm not.  I'm not even close.  I struggle with all the things above in the "list".

I like to think that compared to that mom totally freaking out over her toddler at Target I'm holding it together pretty well.  But... I shouldn't think that.  I should be showing that mom grace, knowing in my heart that - yea.. I've totally been there... weather or not there were witnesses - I've still been there.  So, I try to offer a smile that says, it's going to be ok. 

But... as mom in front of my kids, I don't ever want to be that mom that "looses" it in front of them.  I don't want to seem impatient, or unkind to my kids. I don't want when I say "use your nice words" they say back to me.. you don't.  I've caught myself saying out loud "ahh.. what is wrong with you".  And then I realized if they said that to their sibling.. I wouldn't allow it.  So, I stopped that. I don't allow them to say shut up, or stupid, or poo-poo head.  So... I can't either, because I lead by example.. right?!? 

This is what "good moms" do right?  The perfect ones, with perfect hair, and all the right answers right?  Oh my goodness...... WWJD?  Right?  Somebody tell me I don't just go thru this crazy mental cycle by myself!

I say to the boys when they talk about a kid being mean on the playground to walk away, to not allow them to engage them in mean words, to show kindness to a mean kids because that kid is probably acting out because circumstances we have no idea about, justified or not.

Then... a mean mom steps in my path.  What do you do?  Do you do what we expect from our kids?  Do we raise our voice at a rude adult?  Do, we turn the other cheek or walk away?  Man.. that's hard!  Thankfully as adults, we see less bullies.. but they are still out there.  And I had a fresh instant where I had to take my own word and follow them.  I had to try and ignore the behavior, then I tried to "work it out", then I had to walk away.  I wasn't always proud of my reactions in this process that lasted several weeks.  But, thankfully I never did anything I would have not done in front of my kids.  But...I am still not pleased with myself in this instance.  I don't really know if I'm unhappy with myself or just really unhappy I had to deal with it at all.  And now, I have much great respect for my kids on how they handle situations.  I realize that they get "bullied" by adults a lot.  A lot of time they are not respected, but yet we expect respect from them.

So, as I wrap up my thoughts on this episode of "what goes thru my mind".... I have 2 conclusions.

1) Thank you God you sent Jesus!  That there is a mix of a heavenly role model in an earthly form for my kids to see.  And I pray you can shine a bit of your amazingness thru my actions to my children.

2) And no wonder !!!! No matter my amount of breathing, counting to 3 before responding, of self time outs, and parenting books -  can I ever really live up to my own expectations - since you know that expectation is perfection.  So.. I need to give myself a little smile sometimes, you know... the one I gave to that lady in Target... the one that said it will be ok.  And realize I need a role model just as much as my kids.  So.. while I look for that earthly one, the one that is a mix of Martha Stewart, Nanny McPhee, and Caillou's Mom with a touch of Abby Cadabby in for fun.

 I'll just keep asking for God's daily help and thank him for every minute of togetherness I mange to put forth!  I found this scripture today... Proverbs 29:11 "A fool gives full vent to her anger, but a wise man keep himself under control.".  I pray to be a wise mom.

It's Laundry Day and I have on Super Hero Underwear! Ka-pow!

As I scroll thru my e-mails this morning sorting out the spam from the really important stuff.. like Crazy 8 is having a sale on their super hero t-shirts (yes that is an important e-mail - I flagged it urgent) I asked myself a question.  No, the question was not do we really need more super hero shirts?  Because its obvious that one can never have too many, especially at the rate children grow.  But, why do we love super hero's so much?

I flashed back to the days of my two boys (around the ages of 2 and 3 and even to 4) and their endless costumes of super hero's and how they wore those things everywhere.  Literally everywhere, and I let them... well I said no to church.. but every other place I was totally cool with it.  My oldest son even wore it to his first little "baseball" camp at age 4. 

My middle child.... the 2nd boy... wore Batman for 2 Halloween's in a row and still love to dress up and he is 7 1/2 (don't tell his school friends I told on him... he would be so embarrassed).
But... it's not only a kid thing.  I love super hero shirts.. especially ones that say Wonder MOM!!!!!! My husband wears his Super Man shirt at least once a week... and I Just ordered some more for all of us!

Super Hero's make us feel like we can do anything.  Kaden was such a introverted child as a toddler.... he did not want people to even look at him at a store.  He wore that Spiderman costume to target, and would "spider walk" thru aisles... he had on his mask and he had confidence to be in public and have fun.  He still wouldn't talk to anybody, even if they ask him how he spun webs, but at least he didn't just run away and for him at that time, was brave as all get out!

So... if you are feeling like maybe you aren't being "all you can be", and you can't run away and join the military because they don't allow co-sleeping with a toddler.. just throw on a super her shirt and at least pretend you have your stuff in order.  And by the end of the day you might just surprise yourself on how well you managed to pull off a successful day.  If you have a job where you can't sport a Wonder Woman shirt... then I highly suggest investing in some super hero panties... cause putting on our big girl panties and getting the day done is what being a Super MOM is all about. 

I suggesting these :)  Batgirl Panties

So.... It's laundry day and I put on my super hero panties.. and I plan on kick'n some Mommy To Do List Hinny-Hoo (that's our way of saying Butt).  Join me.. they made a whole day about super hero appreciation....so let's do it!  BE SUPER TODAY!  YOU CAN DO IT!

Target, we need to date other people.. it's not you.. it's me....well really it's IKEA!!!!!!! Woo-Hoo!!!!

What is it with a new store in an area... especially one like IKEA.  I'm a shopper... I love it, it's fun and I can do it all day long. And.... I bargain hunt, which I'm sure takes about 3x longer than normal shopping, so it's very possible that me going into a store like IKEA with it's massive size, I might need to pack a tooth brush and a pillow.  Best part, this is twice in a week I've been, I have found many, many things I just didn't know that I needed.  But... I have to go back to tomorrow, because the awesome rug I bought isn't the right size so I must return it and start again on that quest.  Plus the "tester" pillow slip cover I found for our couch works great and I only bought 1 and I need 4.  So... another trip is in order.  I'm sure one day I will find that I have seen everything there is to see in that store, and will feel that I have a good grasp on what it holds, and when I should go there vs other stores for items etc.  But, until that day arrives, I might be going every day.  My husband it terrified! Literally... I think he might start hiding my keys, and debit card, and maybe even my van.

So.... Target.. I'm sorry, as much as I love your aisles of fun things to keep me entertained, and yes... you are still my go to place for cleaners, socks, and groceries, and the occasional tank top.  And I know you take coupons, and "they" don't.  I have a new love, and I'm afraid you can't be my #1 store anymore :(.

Ikea..... if you start selling maxi skirts and comfy SAHM shirts.... I will loss my ever loving mind!  Seriously...

What makes us Royal.

Another Mommy Blog!  Is there enough room in this world for ANOTHER one of those?  Well, I don't know but I hope you find my posts interesting.    I thought I might start off with a good Top 5 List.  Let's face it... we love lists.   And a good Top 5 List will be "shared" and "pinned" if interesting enough.  So here is mine.

 

The Top 5 Reasons Our Family is Royalty !

(viewpoint of a child)

1) We have a cleaning lady, a cook, a chauffer, a grounds keeper, and nannie. 

They answer to the call of Mommy and Daddy.

2) I know my mom and dad must be the Queen and King because when we go places I have to wait for them to sign their autograph EVERYTIME we try to leave a store with stuff. 

Sometimes they even have to show their Drivers License as proof they are the King and Queen. 

So far I haven't had to sign autographs.  They keep telling me to enjoy but I think

they just want to be King and Queen forever.

3) My house get's a lot of fan mail.  And we have a lot of fans named Bill. 

Mom and Dad are always talking about how there are more Bill's in the mail today.

4) I know I'm next in line to take over the throne because my Dad keeps saying,

one day this will be all yours.... of course he is shoving snow or mowing at the time

but I'm pretty sure he means I get to be the boss and tell everybody what to do.

5) I'm told that I'm a child of God, and he is the King of Kings...

so that makes me a Prince or Princess.